ACAP: Funding for afterschool programs in jeopardy

Adirondack Community Action Programs reported earlier this month that they were unsuccessful in obtaining the state funding that would allow them to continue afterschool programs in Moriah, Schroon and Westport in September.

ELIZABETHTOWN — For the second consecutive year, funding for afterschool programs in Moriah, Schroon and Westport is in jeopardy.

Earlier this month, the agency that operates the programs, Adirondack Community Action Programs (ACAP), facilitated a brainstorming session designed to find a solution.

“We were just informed this past week that we do not have secure funding for the afterschool programs in September,” said the program’s director, Marge Zmijewski.

Funding comes from several state and federal streams, explained Nora Neidzielski-Eichner, Executive Director of the New York State Afterschool Network, or NYSAN.

Problem is, supply can’t keep up with demand.

Neidzielski-Eichner said the grant proposal process is extremely competitive, with only about 25 percent of applicants locking down funds.

“There’s tremendously more demand than government funding,” she said. “And demand has continued to grow as both parents enter the workforce.”

Proposed funding for the Advantage After School stream for 2015-16 is at the same level as last year’s executive budget — about $17.2 million.

ACAP needs $156,550 to continue programming at their three sites.

Zmijewski said ACAP met the required date for the application.

But the state determined they did not score high enough.

“We were told we wrote an excellent proposal and were next in line to get funded, but the money ran out,” she said. “We have an in-house grant writer who is very good at writing grants and getting us funding.”

RAISING AWARENESS

Neidzielski-Eichner said 1.1 million students across the state are deprived of afterschool programing, a number that has remained unchanged since 2009 when state funding was cut during the recession.

Earlier this month, Jennifer O’Connor, the co-chair of NYSAN’s policy committee, testified before the state legislature to raise awareness of the issue.

“These programs help all of our students, no matter where they live, engage in hands-on learning, avoid risky behaviors and involvement with the juvenile justice system and stay on track to develop into active citizens,” she said.

At the hearing, O’Connor called for a restoration of $500,000 in funding for the Advantage After School stream.

Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed $160 million in funding for all streams.

NYSAN called for $178.5 million, a measure that would allow 110,000 new students to participate in the programs.

As the state grinds through budget season, the organization has continued to draw attention to the issue, including conducting “social media storms” designed to influence policymakers and the news media.

Last fall, ACAP received a Hail Mary pass from state senator Betty Little, who landed them $130,000, a measure that allowed the three programs to run through this September.

She continues to be aware of the continuing need, said spokesman Daniel MacEntee.

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his office were very helpful last year in ensuring the funding was available for ACAP,” he said. “The senator has expressed her interest in seeing the program receives support again this year, one of many budget issues she’s advocating.”

At the federal level, $84.5 million is available, down from peak funding levels of $100.5 million in 2009.

“DOMINO EFFECT”

Proponents of the program say programming is crucial, supplying children with much-needed structure during the three-hour window between the final bell and when parents pick them up.

“It gives them a positive activity to do,” said Meredith King, of Westport. “It keeps them in school longer and they do better academically.”

The program in Moriah serves 60 kids, while Schroon and Westport serve about 30 each.

Another vexing issue is the lack of daycare providers in the community.

Westport has just one registered facility.

Eve Bailey and her husband work full-time, a measure that wouldn’t be possible without the program.

“There’s not a lot of alternatives here,” she said. “Most daycares are full.”

King said closure of the program in Westport would have a “domino effect” on the community, from parents cutting back their hours to kids growing anxious due to the lack of stability.